Romans 3:8
◄  Romans 3:8  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Why not say--as some slanderously claim that we say--"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is just!

New Living Translation (©2007)
And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, "The more we sin, the better it is!" Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.

English Standard Version (©2001)
And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come "? Their condemnation is just.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, "Let us do what is evil so that good may come"? Their condemnation is deserved!

International Standard Version (©2012)
Or can we say—as some people slander us by claiming that we say—"Let's do evil that good may result"? They deserve to be condemned!

NET Bible (©2006)
And why not say, "Let us do evil so that good may come of it"?--as some who slander us allege that we say. (Their condemnation is deserved!)

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Or is it as those, whose judgment is reserved for justice, slander us and report that we say, “Let us practice evil that good may come?

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Or can we say, "Let's do evil so that good will come from it"? Some slander us and claim that this is what we say. They are condemned, and that's what they deserve.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And not rather, (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

American King James Version
And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

American Standard Version
and why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And not rather (as we are slandered, and as some affirm that we say) let us do evil, that there may come good? whose damnation is just.

Darby Bible Translation
and not, according as we are injuriously charged, and according as some affirm that we say, Let us practise evil things, that good ones may come? whose judgment is just.

English Revised Version
and why not (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

Webster's Bible Translation
And not rather (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Weymouth New Testament
And why should we not say--for so they wickedly misrepresent us, and so some charge us with arguing--"Let us do evil that good may come"? The condemnation of those who would so argue is just.

World English Bible
Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), "Let us do evil, that good may come?" Those who say so are justly condemned.

Young's Literal Translation
and not, as we are evil spoken of, and as certain affirm us to say -- 'We may do the evil things, that the good ones may come?' whose judgment is righteous.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And not rather, as we be slanderously reported,.... These are the apostle's own words, in answer to the objector he represented; and it is as if he should say, why do not you go on? why do you stop here? "and not rather" say, as we are evil spoken of, and our doctrine is blasphemed:

continued...

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And not rather - This is the answer of the apostle. He meets the objection by showing its tendency if carried out, and if it were made a principle of conduct. The meaning is, "If the glory of God is to be promoted by sin, and if a man is not therefore to be condemned, or held guilty for it; if this fact absolves man from crime, "why not carry the doctrine out, and make it a principle of conduct, and do all the evil we can, in order to promote his glory." This was the fair consequence of the objection. And yet this was a result so shocking and monstrous, that all that was necessary in order to answer the objection was merely to state this consequence. Every man's moral feelings would revolt at the doctrine; everyman would know that it could not be true; and every man, therefore, could see that the objection was not valid.

continued...

Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Apostle. And not rather, etc. - And why do you not say, seeing you assume this ground, that in all cases we should do wickedly, because God, by freely pardoning, can so glorify his own grace? This is a most impious sentiment, but it follows from your reasoning; it has, indeed, been most injuriously laid to the charge of us apostles, who preach the doctrine of free pardon, through faith, without the merit of works; but this is so manifest a perversion of the truth that a just punishment may be expected to fall on the propagators of such a slander.

Geneva Study Bible

And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

People's New Testament

3:8 Let us do evil, that good may come. The apostle replies to this argument with a reductio ad absurdum. This amounts to saying, Do evil that good may come, an abominable doctrine, slanderously charged upon Paul by enemies, would justify every iniquity. This doctrine, so strongly condemned, has been taught by the Jesuits.

Whose damnation is just. All who teach such doctrine are justly condemned.

Wesley's Notes

3:8 Whose condemnation is just - The condemnation of all who either speak or act in this manner. So the apostle absolutely denies the lawfulness of doing evil, any evil, that good may come.

Romans 3:8 Parallel Commentaries
Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


God Remains Faithful
…6God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7For if the truth of God has more abounded through my lie to his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
2 Corinthians 6:8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;
2 Corinthians 11:15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.